Almost one in three in Wales concerned about paying for last Christmas

Only 7% of Welsh adults said paying for Christmas 2014 would be easier than in 2013, while almost three in ten Welsh adults (28%) expected it to be more difficult, according to our latest exclusive opinion poll. Most (65%) expected it to be about the same.

During the latest wave of the Beaufort Wales Omnibus survey, conducted across Wales in late November / early December 2014, 1,003 adults aged 16 and over were asked “This year, will paying for Christmas be easier than last year for you, more difficult or about the same?”
Those most likely to say they’d be finding it more difficult this year than last were those with children under 16 at home and younger people (namely those aged 16 – 44 years), with 39% and 36% respectively saying this. Those in the lower socioeconomic DE grades also appear to be particularly squeezed, with nearly four in ten (39%) of this group (comprising of unskilled workers, those on state benefits and those without any paid income) expecting it to be more difficult.
Regionally, those living in the South Wales Valleys (Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf) and West South Wales (Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea) were most likely to be anticipating difficulties (at 42% and 36% respectively, compared with 28% across Wales as a whole).
Adults in the middle classes (the ABC1 socioeconomic grades), those 55 and over and those living in Cardiff and South East Wales were most likely to anticipate no change in 2014.